Sergene Andra Sorenson Jensen

With Aunt Sergene’s passing, I thought I would make some of the photographs I have of her and her life available.  I am wrapping this around the language of her obituary.

Sergene was born 2 February 1932 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho.  She is the sixth of twelve children born to Mary Louise Wanner and William Fredrick Andra.  My Grandmother, Colleen, is the fifth and was four years older than Sergene.

Sergene standing, Ross, Donald, Jon Wanner, unknown, Kay Wanner all kneeling, and Larry, Dennis, Sharon Johnson, and Dale Andra

Sergene in school

Colleen, Larry, Ross, Dale, Sergene about 1945

Sergene graduated from Preston High School in 1950.  She was a cheerleader and the Preston Night Rodeo Queen where she was pictured on Roy Roger’s horse, Trigger Jr., on the cover of the Preston Rodeo program in 1949.

Sergene in High School (I only have a scan of a copy, hopefully some day I can have a scan of an original)

Andra Family Portrait, 1947; back (l-r): Bill, Golden; middle: Sergene, Millie, Colleen, June; front: Don, Larry, Bill, Dale, Mary, Ross.

Immediately after high school she married a guy from Malad who turned out to be quite abusive.  Sergene defended herself and quickly had the marriage annulled.

Sergene married Bert B Sorenson 22 August 1950 in Nampa, Canyon, Idaho.  Two children were born to the marriage, Scott B Sorenson (1951) and Andrew S Sorenson (1953).  Bert worked for Mountain Bell.

June, Millie, Mary, Colleen, Sergene, about 1956.

Sergene, Scott, Bert, Andrew Sorenson in Preston about 1957

1959 Andra Reunion, Phyllis (Don), Utahna (Golden), Sergene, Mary, Colleen, Millie, Edith (Bill).

Bert, Andy, Jackie Jonas, Sergene about 1964

Bert, Sergene with Jackie Jonas in front, and Andy Sorenson about 1964

June, Millie, Colleen, Sergene mid 1960′s

Andra Reunion, 1967, Sergene, Colleen, Millie, June, Mary.

Sergene purchased The Wig Wam in Burley in 1969.  She purchased the Ponderosa Beauty Salon in 1973 and the Merle Norman Cosmetics store in Twin Falls in 1976.  She only purchased the businesses, not the buildings in which they were located.  The Ponderosa closed in the 1980′s and the salon with it.  I don’t know when she sold or gave up the Twin Falls store.  She ran the Burley location until she retired from it in the early 1990′s.  It was a sort of forced retirement as the restaurant next door caught fire and Sergene not to make the repairs to her building but just close shop.

Times News, 18 May 1976

Sergene with her parents in the late 1970′s

Colleen, Millie, June, Sergene, 1977.

Sergene and Bert in the early 1980′s

Millie, Colleen, Sergene

Sergene had a knack for golf and bowling.  She participated in the Idaho State Amateur Golf Tournament for 53 consecutive years.  She was honored as the Burley Municipal Ladies Golf Association champion from 1956 to 1986.  She regularly participated on the Idaho Women’s and Chapman couple’s golf circuits.  She also served as a member of the Idaho Couples Golf Association.

Bert and Sergene in the late 1980′s

Bert passed away 4 March 1991 in Burley, Cassia, Idaho.

Sisters at a funeral, 9 March 1991, Burley, Idaho, Colleen, Sergene, June, Millie.

Sergene and Colleen in San Diego

Sergene married Harlan Brent Jensen 13 November 1991 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.

Harlan and Sergene Jensen in the mid 1990′s

Millie, Sergene, and puppies

1998 Andra Reunion, Milie and Vance Beck, Sergene Jensen, Colleen Lloyd.

Harlan passed away in 4 February 2002 in Burley.

Sergene then spent considerable time with her dear friend and companion Edward Neil Dean from that point forward.  They were close friends and golfing buddies.

Sergene, Neil, and Vance Beck in 2007

Sergene and Neil at Lava Hot Springs in 2008

Ross, Don, Larry, Sergene, Neil Dean at 2010 Andra Reunion

Sergene passed 14 February 2013 in Lake Havasu, Mohave, Arizona.

Bruderer

With a third photo identified with a Bruderer in it, I thought I would make these photos available.  From my understanding, the Bruderers were good friends of my grandparents, Norwood and Colleen (Andra) Jonas, when they lived in Richmond, Cache, Utah.  When my grandparents moved to Burley, Cassia, Idaho in 1968 the friends did not see each other as much.  Leonard and Donna (Andrus) Bruderer also eventually moved to Brigham City, Box Elder, Utah.  Leonard and Donna also lived next door to my Great Grandma Lillian Coley Jonas (Edna’s sister)(and across the street from the Dorney family).

I visited with Donna in 2007.  She is an Andrus and her father is Gerald Andrus(1903-1984).  Gerald married my Great Grand Aunt Edna Coley(1900-1983) on 17 April 1921 and had a son, Harold Christian Andrus(1921-1966).  Harold is my cousin and is an Andrus although raised as a Neilson.  Gerald and Edna were married less than a year or so and he remarried to Donna’s mother, Ida Christena Smith, in 1923.  Harold is Donna’s half-brother and I called to visit with her more regarding Harold than the Bruderer line.  I did mention I had a photo of Leonard and Donna from many years ago as well as a photo of their daughter Lola.  Leonard Bruderer passed away in 2006 (born in 1922).

(l-r): Sandy Jonas, Lola Bruderer, and Jane Robinson in August 1958

Leonard Bruderer and Norwood Jonas

Donna and Leonard Bruderer

Ethelyn June Streeter

With the recent passing of Aunt June Stout, I thought I would dedicate a post to her.

Ethelyn June Streeter was born 4 June 1918 in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho to Mark Lewis and Ethel Sharp Streeter.  She was the only child born to this union as her parents soon separated.  Mark Lewis Streeter was born 11 May 1898 in Hooper, Weber, Utah and died 21 March 1986 in Ogden, Weber, Utah.  Ethel Sharp was born 9 April 1898 in Plain City, Weber, Utah and died 6 August 1925 in Plain City shortly after giving birth to her fifth child.  Mark and Ethel were married 7 May 1917 in Ogden.

Mark and Ethel Streeter

Ethel was in a train accident in Plain City.  After marrying Mark, she received a settlement from the railroad.  With their new wealth they moved to Paul and built a confectionery.  Paul was the location of a new sugar factory built by Amalgamated Sugar Company.  Further the farm land was continuing to open and expand and Paul was a promising boom town.  Many families moved from the Ogden area to Minidoka and Cassia counties.

It was here, not long after the confectionery was built, Ethelyn June Streeter was born.  She went by June all her days.  On 3 March 1919 Mark enlisted in the Army.  We do not know the reasons for his enlistment; enlist and not be drafted, drafted, or marital issues.  All we know is that Mark and Ethel divorced during 1919.  Ethel remarried 11 January 1920 to John “Jack” William Ross.

Ethel Ross and little June Streeter

Jack and Ethel Ross with young June Streeter

June spent a several years growing up with three younger siblings.  Milo Paul was born in 1921, Paul was born in 1922, and John Harold was born in 1924.  Jack worked for Amalgamated Sugar Company most of the time and worked at the Ogden, Burley, and Paul plants.  Hence, Milo was born in Plain City, Paul was born in Paul, and Harold in Burley, Cassia, Idaho.  I have written more extensively about the family elsewhere.

(l-r) Harold, Milo, and Paul Ross with June Streeter

Sadly, Ethel gave birth to Ernest Jackson Ross in 1925 and she shortly passed away afterward.  Little Ernest passed away about two months later.  Jack’s parents, James and Damey Ross, took the four children in over the winter of 1925-26.  Jack’s parents were struggling financially and Jack was not able to properly tend to the children so the children were taken to northern Utah and farmed out to different family members.  June went to live with her Streeter grandparents, George Clark and Jane Ann Wilson Streeter.  They raised her in Ogden until she left home.

Paul, June, and Harold

Paul, Harold, and Milo Ross with June Streeter behind.

She married Dominic Anthony Corsaro and had two children; Franklin George in 1936 and Josephine Ina in 1943.  The Corsaro marriage ended in divorce.  She then married an A H Ballard, which also ended in divorce.  Lastly, she married Jack Stout.

Her obituary mentions that she was an Arthur Murray dance instructor.

I have tried to find out more information about these marriages but nobody has responded to my letters or e-mails for further information.  Some day I hope to flesh it out some more.

Jack and June Stout about 1960

June spent her remaining years living with her daughter and son-in-law, Merk and Ina French.  It was in Southern California she passed away, I do not know the exact location yet.  She passed away 24 June 2012 and was buried 30 June 2012.

Wilburn Norwood Jonas

Similar as I have done with other family members, I thought I would make available all the pictures I have of Grandpa.  I won’t write much, just present the few photos and documents I have in chronological order, as best I can tell.

Wilburn Norwood “Nor” Jonas was born 15 May 1924 in Lewiston, Cache, Utah to Lillian Coley and Joseph Nelson Jonas.  The fourth child of eight to his parents.  He married Colleen Mary Andra 27 September 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.  Three children were born to him and Colleen; Douglas in 1952, Sandra in 1954, and Jackie in 1960.  He died 14 March 1975 in Burley, Cassia, Idaho and was buried 19 March 1975 in Richmond, Cache, Utah.

From the Richmond South Ward, Benson Stake

I think this is the youngest picture I have of Grandpa.

This picture shows some of his youth.

He graduated from Primary in 1936.

Richmond South Ward, Benson Stake Primary Graduation Certificate

A couple of pictures taken as a teenager.

His Certificate of Promotion to the High School, North Cache.

Promotion to North Cache High School

A promissory note to attend North Cache Seminary.  I was a bit surprised signed a promissory note for $1.35 to attend Seminary.

North Cache Seminary Promissory Note

He worked for Western Coal in 1943, I don’t know if he lived in Carbon County or if this was closer to Richmond.

He had a hernia operation in 1945.  Here is the bill.

Hospital Bill

Somebody tried to get a liquor license dishonestly.

Logan City Court misdemeanor.  City Attorney L Tom Perry.

Grandpa also worked for the government during the war.

Termination at Fort Mason, San Francisco, California

His metal Social Security Card.

The rejection of his liquor license in 1946.

A wedding portrait.

A picture given to me, of lesser quality scan, of Norwood and Colleen in Yellowstone in 1946.  I understand this was from their honeymoon.

His chauffeur’s license from 1951, luckily the photograph is still attached and you can see his signature.

Utah Chauffeur’s License 1

Utah Chauffeur’s License 2

His insurance card from Mr. Skidmore in Richmond, Utah.

This photo was taken on 17 April 1950 in Richmond, Utah after the funeral and burial of Kent Jonas, Ellis and Geri’s son.

Back (l-r): Lowell Andersen, Evan Jonas, Norwood Jonas. Front: Joseph Jonas, Spencer Jonas, and Ray Talbot.

A picture from a mid 1950′s Jonas Family Reunion.

Back (l-r): Ellis, Joseph, Lona, Norwood. Front: Evan, Spencer Jonas.

A picture from an Andra Family Reunion about 1957.

Norwood and Colleen with Doug and Sandy in Preston, Idaho

A formal portrait in the mid to late 1960′s.

A family photo taken somewhere around 1970.

Norwood and Colleen Jonas Family. Children, oldest to youngest, Doug, Sandy, Jackie.

A picture of a visit to City of Rocks in the early 1970′s.

Zella and Marion Hazel, Norwood Jonas at City of Rocks

A couple of the newspaper articles around Grandpa’s death.

Norwood’s Funeral Program

Evan Kay Elliott

For Evan’s birthday, and since he provided me some photos and I do not know what else to do with them, I will post them on here.

He is not technically my relative and I have held on to the photos because he knew I did family history and would make them available to family.  He provided these photos to me in the summer of 2004.  I scanned them and have kept them safe since them.  These are all the photos he provided for me.  I am including a few others that I have that include my Grandmother, Colleen.  I do not know the status or whereabouts of any of the other individuals in the photos.  I have put them in chronological order as much as I can.  These individuals are named as Evan gave them to me.

Evan Kay Elliott was born the fourth of six children on 19 June 1934 to Ethel Helen Heath and William Henery Elliott in Soda Springs, Caribou, Idaho.  His father was born in Lago, Bannock, Idaho (now Caribou County) and his mother was born in Liberal, Seward, Kansas.  He graduated from Paul High School.  He married Beatrice F Lamoureau 9 May 1961 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.  They were divorced shortly afterward.  He married Colleen Mary Andra, a widow of Wilburn Norwood Jonas, 9 April 1976 in Burley, Cassia, Idaho.  They were later sealed 5 May 1978 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho at the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.  They were divorced about 1987.  He then married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Jeanette Loebsack, 6 April 1989 in Elko.  They lived together until she passed 30 September 2003 in Twin Falls, Twin Falls, Idaho.  Evan lived alone until he passed at home in Twin Falls 24 October 2007.  He was buried 3 November 2007 in Paul, Minidoka, Idaho.

Evan Kay Elliott about 1938

William (Bill) and Ethel Helen (“Helen”) Elliott with son Melvin standing on their doorstep in Paul, Idaho about 1947.

William (Bill) Elliott with wife, Helen, and sons Evan (back) and Melvin about 1947.

Bill and Helen Elliott with daughter and son, Carol and Melvin about 1947.

Evan and Melvin Elliott, his brother, about 1947.

Evan high school portrait, about 1950

1948 Elliott family reunion at Shoshone Falls

Evan’s military photo, about 1951. He served in the Korean War, I believe in the Navy.

(l-r) Bill Elliott, Melvin, Evan about 1952

Bill and Helen Elliott with Melvin.

Loucilla Loebsack, 1953, Shirley’s sister.

Loucilla Loebsack

Shirley kneeling in 1953

Evan and Shirley Loebsack, Christmas Eve 1953

Shirley Loebsack, Christmas Even 1953

Evan and Melvin Elliott with Virgil Rocko in September 1955

Evan and Colleen about 1977

About 1979

Colleen and Evan about 1982

Evan fishing near Portland, Oregon on 5 July 1998

Shirley Elliott, 5 July 1998

The Elliott home in Twin Falls.

Evan and Shirley Elliott, 16 July 2000

Evan and Shirley in 2003

Evan at Andra Ross’ wedding 27 May 2005 in Rupert, Minidoka, Idaho

Colleen Mary Andra Jonas Lloyd

For my Grandmother’s birthday today, I thought I would put together a picture history of her life from the photos I have.  I don’t think I will write a whole lot, just share photos of her life in chronological order, as much as I can.  I hope you enjoy it.

Colleen Mary Andra was born 27 May 1928 in Preston, Franklin, Idaho to Mary Louise Wanner and William Fredrick Andra.  The fifth child to her parents.  She married Wilburn Norwood Jonas 27 September 1946 in Elko, Elko, Nevada.  Three children were born to her and Norwood; Douglas in 1952, Sandra in 1954, and Jackie in 1960.  After he died in 1975, she remarried Evan Kay Elliott 9 April 1976 in Idaho Falls, Bonneville, Idaho.  After their divorce around 1987, she married Ivan “Bud” Walter Lloyd 31 January 1998 in Dingle, Bear Lake, Idaho.  She died in Boise, Ada, Idaho 14 November 1999 and was buried in Dingle on the 18th.

Enjoy!!

About 1940.

High school, about 1943.

Andra siblings Colleen, Larry, Ross, Dale, Sergene, about 1945.

Graduation from Preston High School, 1946.

Yearbook picture from Preston High School, 1945.

Teacher Training Certificate from the Deseret Sunday School Union Board, 1946.

Norwood and Colleen Portrait, about 1947.

Andra Family Portrait, 1947; back (l-r): Bill, Golden; middle: Sergene, Millie, Colleen, June; front: Don, Larry, Bill, Dale, Mary, Ross.

June, Millie, Mary, Colleen, Sergene, about 1956.

Norwood, Colleen, Doug, Sandy at Jonas Reunion, about 1957.

1959 Andra Reunion, Phyllis (Don), Utahna (Golden), Sergene, Mary, Colleen, Millie, Edith (Bill).

Colleen, Sandy, and Doug Jonas, about 1959.

Notice her signature, 1962.

Colleen holding Jackie, Jonas Reunion, 1962.

June, Millie, Colleen, Sergene mid 1960′s

 

Portrait, late 1970′s.

Portrait, middle 1960′s.

Ross Andra Wedding in 1965: (l-r) Bill and Mary Andra, Norwood and Sandy Jonas, Ross and Adelaide Andra, Phyllis Merrill, Edith Andra, Phyllis Andra, Millie Beck, Colleen.

Andra Reunion, 1967, Sergene, Colleen, Millie, June, Mary.

Broken Arm, early 1970′s

Colleen with lamp, early 1970′s

Middle 1970′s smile.

Evan and Colleen Elliott, Andra Reunion, 1976.

Colleen, Millie, June, Sergene, 1977.

Idaho Women’s Bowling Champions, 1977.

Evan, grandson Brook Jonas, and Colleen, 1977.

Side profile with grandson Paul Ross, 1979.

Colleen, Jackie, Sandy about 1980.

Colleen and her grandson, Paul Ross around 1981.

Millie, Colleen, Sergene

 

About 1982 Andra Reunion; (l-r) Brook, Doug, and Linda Jonas, Evan and Colleen Elliott, Jackie Jonas (kneeling), Sandy, Andra (baby), Milo, and Paul Ross (hanging).

Water-skiing about 1983.

Andra Reunion at Minidoka Dam, 28 July 1984, (l-r) Siblings Ross, Colleen, June, Millie, Bill, Golden, Don, Larry.

Evan and Colleen Elliott, about 1982.

Jonas Reunion, 1986, with Paul and Andra Ross, grandchildren.

Colleen with her mother, Mary Andra, 1986.

Jackie Jonas Wedding in 1987; back: Milo Ross, Willie Melycher, Doug Jonas, Brook Jonas; middle: Sandy Ross, Jackie Melycher, Colleen Jonas; front: Paul and Andra Ross.

Colleen Elliott, Milo and Sandy Ross at Scott Ross’ wedding, 1987.

4 Generations, Mary, Jackie, Colleen, holding May. About 1989.

Picture taken the same day as the 4 generation picture, 1989. Her beloved 1976 Mercury Marquis in the background. Notice also her famed turquoise.

Portrait, 1990.

Sisters at Bert Sorenson’s funeral, 9 March 1991, Burley, Idaho, Colleen Jonas, Sergene Sorenson, June Johnson, Millie Beck.

Sergene and Colleen in San Diego

Colleen and Jim Merrill, about 1992.

Portrait, 1993.

Sworn in as Burley Does President, 2 April 1994.

Bud and Colleen at Jackson Hole, 1994.

President of the Burley Does and Delegate to the Does National Convention, 1995.

Combined Insurance Business Card, about 1995.

(l-r) Judy’s daughter holding Jesse Melycher, Jackie Melycher, Sandy Ross with May Melycher in front, ?, Judy Jonas, Doug Jonas, Colleen Jonas, Fred Thrall in Chugiak, Anchorage, Alaska, 1996.

Jackson Hole, 1997.

1998 Andra Reunion, Milie and Vance Beck, Sergene Jensen, Colleen Lloyd.

Colleen and Bud Lloyd, 24 July 1998 at Deer Cliff in, Mapleton, Franklin, Idaho.

Mrs. Rue’s Class

Back (l-r): Larry Weitzstein, Becky Kuhlman, Jane Garcia, Donald Bodily, Allen Llewellyn, Kim Maier, Kirk Carpenter, David Hill.  Middle: Mrs. Rue, Val Patterson, Randy Harris, Jenny Ford, Kim Barlow, Trudy Mills, Todd Anderson, Robert Fairbrother.  Front: Faye Smith, Jeanette Bellafullin, Bruce Harper, DeeLon Jones, Mark Bonner, Pam Draper, Kathy Larson, Jackie Jonas.

Here is another class picture of my Aunt Jackie.  As the sign tells, this picture is from Southwest School in Burley, Cassia, Idaho taken in April 1970.  The names were written on a piece of paper inside.  If they are incorrect, please let me know.  I would be happy to update the information.  First, a copy of letter from Ms. Rue.

Larry Weitzstein

Becky Kuhlman

Jane Garcia

Donald Bodily

Allen Llewellyn

Kim Maier

Kirk Carpenter

David Hill

Margaret Jane Daven Rue (1914-1985)

Val Paterson

Randy Harris

Jenny Ford

Kim Barlow

Trudy Mills

Todd Anderson

Robert Fairbrother

Faye Smith

Jeanette Bellafullin

Bruce Harper (1959-1975)

DeeLon Jones

Mark Bonner

Pam Draper

Kathy Larson

Jackie Jonas

Mrs. Matthews’ Class

Back(l-r): Bret Sever, Steven McDaniels, Becky Kolman, Kim Maier, Gina Richardson, Leslie Easton, Keith Barns, Jeff Holland, Rodney Hansen.  Third Row: Mrs. Matthews, Steven Devers, John Matthews, Trudy Mills, Rachell Harris, Lisa Thompson, Jenny Ford, Toye Kopkins, David Lynn, Val Paterson.  Second Row: Mark Bonner, Greg Morten, Katherine Ringell, Debbie Hatt, Wendy Muir, Cory Parish, Robert Miller.  Front: Jackie Jonas, Mike Larson, Kathy Larson, Douglas Brown.

Here is another class picture of my Aunt Jackie.  As the sign tells, this picture is from Southwest School in Burley, Cassia, Idaho taken in March 1971.  The names were written on a piece of paper inside.  If they are incorrect, please let me know.  I would be happy to update the information.

Bret Sever

Steven McDaniels

Becky Kolman

Kim Maier

Gina Richardson

Leslie Easton

Keith Barns

Jeff Holland

Rodney Hansen

Mrs. Matthews

Steven Devers

John Matthews

Trudy Mills

Rachell Harris

Lisa Thompson

Jenny Ford

Toye Kopkins

David Lynn

Val Paterson

Mark Bonner

Greg Morten

Katherine Ringell

Debbie Hatt

Wendy Muir

Cory Parish

Robert Miller

Jackie Jonas

Mike Larson

Kathy Larson

Douglas Brown